About The Unwanteds:

Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths

Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret–behind the mirage of the “death farm” there is instead a place called Artime.

In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it’s a wondrous transformation.

But it’s a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron’s bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

Find The Unwanteds:

About the Author:

Lisa McMann is the New York Times bestselling author of the Wake trilogy; Cryer’s Cross; and the middle-grade dystopian fantasy series The Unwanteds. She lives with her family in the Phoenix area. Read more about Lisa and find her blog through her website at lisamcmann.com. Or better yet, be her friend on Facebook (facebook.com/mcmannfan) or follow her on Twitter (twitter.com/lisa_mcmann).

My Thoughts on The Unwanteds:

When Alex is labeled Unwanted and sent to the death farm, his twin brother Aaron never expects to see him again. But the death farm is just a disguise for the world of Artime, where creatives are given free reign and taught to use their gifts. Before long, the connection between the brothers begins to pull them together — for better or worse.

Kirkus reviews says that The Unwanteds is “Harry Potter meets The Hunger Games“, and I would have to agree. While it doesn’t have the intensity or violence of either series, it is a combination of a magical school setting and a dystopian world where the weak are eliminated.

The Unwanteds takes concepts like freedom, government control, and selective elimination and makes them accessible to a younger set of readers. Kids that are not ready for The Hunger Games will find this book more their speed.

Content: small amount of violence

4 STARS

Disclaimer: I received this book from another blogger through ARCycling for the purpose of review.

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